New Guinea impatiens plant named ‘KLENI10128’

ABSTRACT

A new New Guinea  Impatiens  plant named ‘KLENI10128’, particularly distinguished by its suitability for growth in small pots, high density production, large flowers combined with compact growth and profuse flowering, is described.

Genus and species: Impatiens hawkeri.

Variety denomination: ‘KLENI10128’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLENI10128’. The new variety originated from a hybridization made in November 2007 in Kenya. The female parent was the proprietary Impatiens plant ‘NI-2006-0100’ (unpatented), while the male parent was the proprietary Impatiens plant ‘NI-2006-0082’ (unpatented).

The new variety was first propagated in the Summer of 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany for 6 generations. ‘KLENI10128’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Switzerland on Jun. 23, 2010 and in the European Union on Jul. 9, 2010. ‘KLENI10128’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany

-   -   1. Suitability for growth in small pots (such as 10.5 cm) and         high density production;     -   2. Large flowers combined with compact growth; and     -   3. Profuse flowering.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

This New Guinea Impatiens plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Variations in bloom coloration as shown in the accompanying photograph and the stated R.H.S. designations are due to light reflectance and/or shading. The photograph is of a plant about 18 weeks old, grown from rooted cuttings in a 10.5 centimeter pot in a glass-covered greenhouse in April 2010, in Stuttgart, Germany, under conditions which approximate those generally used in normal horticultural practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLENI10128’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in June 2010, on 18 week old plants which were planted as rooted cuttings in 10.5 cm pots, and then grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany. Color readings were taken under natural light in the greenhouse. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Balsaminaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Impatiens hawkeri.         -   Common name.—New Guinea Impatiens. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant,             ‘NI-2006-0100’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant,             ‘NI-2006-0082’ (unpatented). -   Growth:     -   -   Growth and branching habit.—Compact; round.         -   Height.—14.0 cm.         -   Width.—27.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Vegetative cuttings.         -   Time from rooted cutting to finish.—42 to 49 days in the             Spring, when grown in 10 cm pots.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—3-4 weeks. -   Branches:     -   -   Average number.—16.         -   Length of branches.—7.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm.         -   Diameter of branches.—0.7 cm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 183D. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Base of the plant: Opposite. Middle and upper             section of the plant: Whorled.         -   Size.—Length: 9.0 cm. Width: 3.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblong to lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acuminate.         -   Margin.—Shallowly serrate.         -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 139A. Lower             surface: RHS 139C.         -   Color (immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 143A. Lower             surface: RHS 143C.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Leathery, glossy.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 139D. Lower surface: RHS             59C.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Petioles.—Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm. Color: Both             surfaces: RHS 59C. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.             Fragrance: Absent. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Color.—RHS 58A.         -   Size.—Length: 4.2 cm. Diameter: 0.3 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Shape.—Ovoid, completely closed: drop shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 1.4 cm. Diameter: 1.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 143C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower arranged in clusters             arising from the leaf axil; flower positioned above the             foliage; flowers face upward and outward; flowers are             self-cleaning.         -   Number of flowers per node.—4.         -   Flowering season (both greenhouse grown and outdoor grown             plants).—April to September or October, depending on             temperatures.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—14 to 21             days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Corolla form.—Single.         -   Number of petals.—5.         -   Shape of corolla.—Round to oval.         -   Corolla size.—Length: 7.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm. Depth: 0.5 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Apex.—Petals are medium incised in the middle.         -   Base.—Round to acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Size.—Upper petals: Length: 3.5 cm. Width: 5.0 cm. Lateral             petals: Length: 3.5 cm. Width: 4.0 cm. Lower petals: Length:             4.2 cm. Width: 4.0 cm. General color description: Violet.         -   Color.—Both surfaces: RHS 80A, and fading to RHS 82A prior             to flower senescence. Eye Zone: RHS 58A.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Satiny, smooth. -   Spur:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong to acute.         -   Color.—RHS 59C.         -   Size.—Length: 5.5 cm to 6.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Diameter             at proximal end: 0.6 cm. Diameter at distal end: 0.1 cm. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—3-5.         -   Arrangement.—A large sepal is transformed into the spur. Two             of the sepals are clearly separated.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Elliptic acuminate. Length: 1.1 cm.             Width: 0.5 cm.         -   Lower sepals.—Shape: Elliptic to round. Length: 1.5 cm.             Width: 1.5 cm. Apex: Cuspidate.         -   Surface texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth,             glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 185A. Lower surface: RHS 194B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number and arrangement: 5 stamens are fused,             forming a cap over the ovary. Stamen color (upper surface             color): RHS 59D. Anthers color: RHS 155A. Pollen color: RHS             158D.         -   Pistils.—Style and stigma: Hair-like. Arrangement: 5 styles             and stigmas fused together; arranged in a circle on top of             ovary. Color: RHS 155A. Ovary: Shape: Ovate. Length: 0.6 cm.             Color: RHS 137A. -   Fruit and seed set: Seed production has not been observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: Plants have medium tolerance to red     spider mite. -   Physiological responses: Not tolerant to temperatures below 10°     Celsius; not tolerant to frost; tolerant to low light levels     relative to bloom production.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLENI10128’ differs from the female parent ‘NI-2006-0100’ (unpatented) by having large flowers and good branching, while ‘NI-2006-0100’ has small flowers and less branching.

‘KLENI10128’ differs from the male parent ‘NI-2006-0082’ (unpatented), by having early flowering, and a round shape, while ‘NI-2006-0082’ has late flowering and V-shaped plant habit.

‘KLENI10128’ differs from the commercial New Guinea Impatiens variety ‘Miami’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,700) by having large flowers, good branching and a round shape, while ‘Miami’ has small flowers, less branching and a V-shaped plant habit. 

1. A new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘KLENI10128’ as shown and described herein. 